Collapsible Access Platform for Unloading Flatbed Trucks

ABSTRACT

Portable access platforms for unloading flatbed semi trucks to limit hazards and fall exposure while facilitating apparatus assembly and breakdown, thereby saving associated costs, is disclosed. The apparatus also provides enhanced adjustability, all while reducing fall exposure and providing a means to safely, with stand to the side of the loads while rigging and hoisting. The inventive platform technology, in embodiments, increase speed, efficiency, and safety, including by providing better vision and mobility to employees.

This US non-provisional patent application claims priority to U.S. Prov. App. No. Ser. No. 61/556,956, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Unloading materials (and perhaps loading at times), especially structural steel, from flatbed trucks (including flatbed trailers) with a crane poses safety issues for workers. Such issues may relate to access to the materials/truck bed (e.g., getting on and off the truck beds safely), pinch points and fall hazards (often over 6 feet). While there may be platforms conventionally available that address and mitigate such risks, the platforms provided may not be collapsible for transport/storage in a reduced occupying space, and/or may not provide sufficient adjustability to accommodate, e.g., varying ground heights along the length of the flat bed in a particular location.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention disclosed herein may provide for full collapsibility, in fast and efficient manner, thereby reducing required occupying storage space (and thereby saving on transport costs when moving the platform between sites), and saving on apparatus set up and apparatus breakdown labor costs. Another independent aspect of the inventive technology allows for independent adjustability of each of the legs supporting the platform. These features are provided in a device that also provides sturdy, easy and safe access at truck bed level. This reduces fall exposure, and provides a means to stand to the side of the loads while rigging and hoisting. The inventive platforms increase speed, efficiency, and safety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the inventive technology.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of an embodiment of the inventive technology.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of an embodiment of the inventive technology.

FIG. 4 shows an end view of an embodiment of the inventive technology.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of an embodiment of the inventive technology.

FIG. 6 shows a top view of an embodiment of the inventive technology.

FIG. 7 shows an end view of an embodiment of the inventive technology.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective side view of platform apparatus, in storage (which includes transport) configuration of embodiments of the inventive technology. The flatbed requiring removal of materials therefrom is shown in the background.

FIG. 9 shows a lower, side view of an embodiment of the inventive technology during assembly.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective side view of an embodiment of the inventive technology.

FIG. 11 shows a perspective side view of a portion of an embodiment of the inventive technology.

FIG. 12 shows a view from above of the flatbed side of an embodiment of the inventive technology.

FIG. 13 shows a view from the side and an end of an embodiment of the inventive technology.

FIG. 14 shows a view from an end of an embodiment of the inventive technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As mentioned earlier, the present invention includes a variety of aspects, which may be combined in different ways. The following descriptions are provided to list elements and describe some of the embodiments of the present invention. These elements are listed with initial embodiments, however it should be understood that they may be combined in any manner and in any number to create additional embodiments. The variously described examples and preferred embodiments should not be construed to limit the present invention to only the explicitly described systems, techniques, and applications. Further, this description should be understood to support and encompass descriptions and claims of all the various embodiments, systems, techniques, methods, devices, and applications with any number of the disclosed elements, with each element alone, and also with any and all various permutations and combinations of all elements in this or any subsequent application.

As stated above, unloading materials, especially structural steel, from flatbeds 100 (whether as part of a truck or trailer) with a crane poses safety issues (e.g., getting on and off the truck beds safely, pinch points, fall hazards, etc.). The inventive platform reduces risk of such injury and provides an inventive solution to reduce costs associated with platform setup and breakdown (such costs including labor and costs related to the amount of space occupied by the storage or transport configuration of the apparatus). Particular embodiments may also provide adjustability features that help to enable placement of the assembled apparatus in a variety of terrain, including uneven ground surfaces. While providing an apparatus that reduces labor, storage and transport costs, and increases apparatus set up and disassembly speed and efficiency, the apparatus allows sturdy, easy and safe access at truck bed level, and provides a means to stand to the side of the loads while rigging and hoisting.

In at least one embodiment, the invention may be described as a collapsible platform system (e.g., a show in FIG. 1) operable alongside a flatbed 100, and comprising: at least two discrete platform apparatus 70, each of which comprises: platform support legs 50 that are pivotally collapsible from an leg operational configuration (see FIGS. 1, 2) to a leg storage configuration (where, e.g., the legs are tucked under the platform, perhaps not even increasing its vertical height), the legs disposed substantially vertically when in the leg operational configuration; and a substantially flat walkable platform 80 to which the legs are attached, and which is supported by the legs when the legs are in the leg operational configuration. The legs may be pivotally collapsible towards the platform (see FIG. 2), and pivotally deployable away from the platform.

The system may further comprise guardrail support members 60 that are pivotally attached to the platform and pivotally collapsible from a guardrail operational configuration to a guardrail collapsible configuration (see FIG. 4), wherein the guardrail support members are vertical in the guardrail operational configuration; an upper guardrail 61 supported by the guardrail support members, the upper guardrail collapsible with the guardrail support members from the guardrail operational configuration to the guardrail collapsible configuration (see FIG. 4), wherein the upper guardrail is horizontal in the guardrail operational configuration, and wherein the upper guardrail and the guardrail support members are pivotally attached to the platform on a first longitudinal side 83 of the platform.

The system may further comprise trailbed attachment hardware 81 that removably attaches the platform to the flatbed (e.g., at a flatbed rub rail), the trailbed attachment hardware established on a second longitudinal side 82 of the platform and ladder attachment componentry 84 (e.g., at least two ladder hook sites 91) disposed at the first end 85 of the walkable platform. Further, there may be included second end connection componentry 90 disposed at a second end 86 of the walkable platform, wherein the second end connection componentry 88 is selected from the group consisting of: platform to platform end connection componentry 112 (e.g., (e.g., nuts, bolts and corresponding holes as shown in the Figures)), ladder attachment componentry; and gate attachment componentry 91. The collapsible platform system may further comprise a ladder 20 that is optionally removably attachable to a first end of the walkable platform. Legs may be located only on one side (e.g., on the first longitudinal side 83 of the platform). Note also that any connections may be direct or indirect. For example, where there is an intervening part between parts A and B, parts A and B may still be attached or connected with one another. It is of note that the apparatus may have guardrails, guardrail supports and legs that are each foldable into a storage configuration that occupies less space. Perhaps even the gate support on the trailbed side of the apparatus is foldable into storage configuration (at least it's removable). The ladder may be removable (or perhaps even foldable). In such manner, the apparatus may be fully foldable such that protruding parts (parts that protrude from the platform, perhaps at least more than the upper and lower extents of any parts welded to the platform) are foldable into or onto the platform, thereby reducing space. Protruding parts that aren't foldable may be removable.

It is of further note that in at least one embodiment of the inventive technology, guardrail support may be pivotally collapsible in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 92 defined by a respective the platform. Further, the platform support legs may be pivotally collapsible in a direction that is parallel to a longitudinal axis defined by a respective the platform. Any pivotal collapsibility may be provided by pivot member and pin lock system 93.

In certain embodiment, platform support legs may each be independently length adjustable. Such may be accomplished via an outer leg tube 1 and an inner leg tube 2 established therein, and pins 95 that enable locking of the inner tube in a desired position relative to the outer tube.

The apparatus may further comprise a gate support member 101 established on the second longitudinal side of the platform; the gate support member may be collapsible from an operation configuration to a storage configuration (e.g., in a direction parallel with or perpendicular a longitudinal axis defined by the platform). Post and leg brackets 103, each of which has at least one of the legs and at least one of the upper guardrail support members pivotally attached, may be used as shown in the figures. Note that leg support brackets 105 may be to help to guide and secure legs in the leg storage configuration. Picking eyes (or lugs), which may be disposed so as not to interference with proper operation, may be included; they provide crane or other hooking sites, enabling facile assembly and disassembly of the apparatus.

As shown in certain of the figures, at least one embodiment of the inventive technology may

-   1. outer adjustable leg tubes -   2. inner adjustable leg tubes -   3. scaffold foot -   4. angle post and leg combo brackets -   5. leg storage brackets -   6. vertical rail posts -   7. horizontal rails -   8. grip strut walking planks @ 10′-6 -   9. frame side rails -   10. frame end rails -   11. walkway support struts -   12. mounting brackets -   13. bolt and nut assemblies -   14. removable pins -   15. removable grab posts -   16. grab post brackets -   17. ladder gate chain or cable -   18. grip strut mounting clips -   19. grip strut clips -   20. access ladders -   21. fiber or nylon washers at rail pivot points

In embodiments having such components, during operation, outer legs 1 (or 50 in FIG. 1) may bolt to brackets 4 and pivot up and to pin 5 for storage or down for platform set up. Feet 3 may bolt to inner legs 2 which adjust to length with pins 14. Vertical rails 6 may bolt to brackets 4 and pivot down for storage and up for use with pins 14. Horizontal rails 7 may bolt to vertical posts with bolt and nuts 13 to form guardrails. Frame side rails 9, end rails 10, and support struts 11 may weld together to make platform frame. Planking 8 may bolt to supports struts 11 to form walking surface of platform. Removable grab posts 15 may pin into brackets 16 and chain or cables 17 attach between grab post 15 and nearest vertical rail post 6 to form a gate. Ladder 20 may hook onto end of frame next to grab rail. Mounting brackets 12 may slip over the bed rail of flatbed trailer and mounting bracket pins 18 slide through holes in brackets to hold the frame to the trailer.

In one embodiment, the work platforms include 4 separate units which can be individually attached to the side of a flatbed trailer loaded with materials for rigging and flying the materials off the trailer in a safe manner. The platform sections may be mounted one at a time and set up as follows: a platform section is rigged and moved along the side of a trailer with a crane or forklift. There may be two right hand and two left hand platform sections (first end and second platform end, e.g.) for ladder access at both the front and the back of the trailer on both sides. Therefore it may be important that the ends of the platforms with the brackets for the grab rails are placed opposite each other when mounting. The platform may be supported by crane or forklift at the same elevation as the truck bed. The mounting bracket pins may next be removed from the mounting brackets and the mounting brackets slipped over the trailer side rub rails. The mounting pins may then re-inserted into the mounting brackets through the provided holes and behind the rub rail.

The support legs can now be rotated from the storage position to a vertical position by removing the pull pins from the storage brackets and re-inserting them into the lower hole in the leg brackets which locks them into the vertical position. Now the inner adjustable leg sections can be slid out to support the platform by removing pins provided and sliding the inner legs out to contact the ground surface. When leg length is adjusted pins are inserted through both inner and outer legs to hold the position.

Once legs are set the rail can be pivoted up into the vertical position and locked into place with the provided pins. The platform can now be released from the supporting crane or forklift Now the grab rail can be put onto the end where the ladder attaches and the ladder can be set into place for access onto the platform.

Once the first platform on a side has been installed the adjoining platform can be moved into place and mounted in the same manner. For mounting the adjoining platform one person can work from the top of the first platform where the two platforms butt together. The remaining platform sections are now installed in the same manner as the first. Where the 2 platforms butt together you can secure them together by any method of pinning, tying, or hooking (using platform to platform end connection componentry) as preferred to keep from having a gap develop in the platform walkway. After unloading the platform sections are quickly folded up and moved to the next trailer or set aside for storage or loaded to move to the next job.

Note that variations to the above description may still be included within the ambit of the inventive technology. For example, with regard to certain components, chain barriers could be changed to solid material. Certain rails could be welded instead of bolted. Adjustable legs could be made without non-adjustment. Different types of pin could be used if preferred.

Personnel can access the platforms safely with the provided ladders. Once one the platform the chain gates are hooked across the end to prohibit walking off the end of the platform. Since the platforms sit at the same height as the truck beds personnel can walk alongside of the load and rig and stand to the side of the load with room to move as it is being hoisted instead of on the load or on the bed in a tight spot. Workers can also access the loads and climb up from the platforms on top of loads without being exposed to the usual 10′-12′ fall distance on the sides of the trailer. Current practice sometimes involves leaning over the edge from on top of a load to get rigging inserted between members which creates a big fall exposure. With the platforms you can stand right beside the load and insert the rigging without the risk. Also standing on top of loads while parts of the load are being hoisted off is very precarious and dangerous as pieces can move or roll and crush you or make you fall. With the platforms you can get out of the way and stand on a stable surface.

As can be easily understood from the foregoing, the basic concepts of the present invention may be embodied in a variety of ways. It may involve both labor saving and apparatus adjustability techniques as well as devices to accomplish the appropriate labor saving and adjustability. In this application, the labor saving and apparatus adjustability techniques are disclosed as part of the results shown to be achieved by the various devices described and as steps which are inherent to utilization. They are simply the natural result of utilizing the devices as intended and described. In addition, while some devices are disclosed, it should be understood that these not only accomplish certain methods but also can be varied in a number of ways. Importantly, as to all of the foregoing, all of these facets should be understood to be encompassed by this disclosure.

The discussion included in this application is intended to serve as a basic description. The reader should be aware that the specific discussion may not explicitly describe all embodiments possible; many alternatives are implicit. It also may not fully explain the generic nature of the invention and may not explicitly show how each feature or element can actually be representative of a broader function or of a great variety of alternative or equivalent elements. Again, these are implicitly included in this disclosure. Where the invention is described in device-oriented terminology, each element of the device implicitly performs a function. Apparatus claims may not only be included for the device described, but also method or process claims may be included to address the functions the invention and each element performs. Neither the description nor the terminology is intended to limit the scope of the claims that will be included in any subsequent patent application.

It should also be understood that a variety of changes may be made without departing from the essence of the invention. Such changes are also implicitly included in the description. They still fall within the scope of this invention. A broad disclosure encompassing both the explicit embodiment(s) shown, the great variety of implicit alternative embodiments, and the broad methods or processes and the like are encompassed by this disclosure and may be relied upon when drafting the claims for any subsequent patent application. It should be understood that such language changes and broader or more detailed claiming may be accomplished at a later date (such as by any required deadline) or in the event the applicant subsequently seeks a patent filing based on this filing. With this understanding, the reader should be aware that this disclosure is to be understood to support any subsequently filed patent application that may seek examination of as broad a base of claims as deemed within the applicant's right and may be designed to yield a patent covering numerous aspects of the invention both independently and as an overall system.

Further, each of the various elements of the invention and claims may also be achieved in a variety of manners. Additionally, when used or implied, an element is to be understood as encompassing individual as well as plural structures that may or may not be physically connected. This disclosure should be understood to encompass each such variation, be it a variation of an embodiment of any apparatus embodiment, a method or process embodiment, or even merely a variation of any element of these. Particularly, it should be understood that as the disclosure relates to elements of the invention, the words for each element may be expressed by equivalent apparatus terms or method terms—even if only the function or result is the same. Such equivalent, broader, or even more generic terms should be considered to be encompassed in the description of each element or action. Such terms can be substituted where desired to make explicit the implicitly broad coverage to which this invention is entitled. As but one example, it should be understood that all actions may be expressed as a means for taking that action or as an element which causes that action. Similarly, each physical element disclosed should be understood to encompass a disclosure of the action which that physical element facilitates. Regarding this last aspect, as but one example, the disclosure of a “support” should be understood to encompass disclosure of the act of “supporting”—whether explicitly discussed or not—and, conversely, were there effectively disclosure of the act of “supporting”, such a disclosure should be understood to encompass disclosure of a “support” and even a “means for supporting” Such changes and alternative terms are to be understood to be explicitly included in the description. Further, each such means (whether explicitly so described or not) should be understood as encompassing all elements that can perform the given function, and all descriptions of elements that perform a described function should be understood as a non-limiting example of means for performing that function.

Any patents, publications, or other references mentioned in this application for patent are hereby incorporated by reference. Any priority case(s) claimed by this application is hereby appended and hereby incorporated by reference. In addition, as to each term used it should be understood that unless its utilization in this application is inconsistent with a broadly supporting interpretation, common dictionary definitions should be understood as incorporated for each term and all definitions, alternative terms, and synonyms such as contained in the Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, second edition are hereby incorporated by reference. Finally, all references listed in the list of References To Be Incorporated By Reference In Accordance With The Provisional Patent Application or other information statement filed with the application are hereby appended and hereby incorporated by reference, however, as to each of the above, to the extent that such information or statements incorporated by reference might be considered inconsistent with the patenting of this/these invention(s) such statements are expressly not to be considered as made by the applicant(s).

Thus, the applicant(s) should be understood to have support to claim and make a statement of invention to at least: i) each of the platform-related devices as herein disclosed and described, ii) the related methods disclosed and described, iii) similar, equivalent, and even implicit variations of each of these devices and methods, iv) those alternative designs which accomplish each of the functions shown as are disclosed and described, v) those alternative designs and methods which accomplish each of the functions shown as are implicit to accomplish that which is disclosed and described, vi) each feature, component, and step shown as separate and independent inventions, vii) the applications enhanced by the various systems or components disclosed, viii) the resulting products produced by such systems or components, ix) each system, method, and element shown or described as now applied to any specific field or devices mentioned, x) methods and apparatuses substantially as described hereinbefore and with reference to any of the accompanying examples, xi) an apparatus for performing the methods described herein comprising means for performing the steps, xii) the various combinations and permutations of each of the elements disclosed, xiii) each potentially dependent claim or concept as a dependency on each and every one of the independent claims or concepts presented, and xiv) all inventions described herein.

With regard to claims whether now or later presented for examination, it should be understood that for practical reasons and so as to avoid great expansion of the examination burden, the applicant may at any time present only initial claims or perhaps only initial claims with only initial dependencies. The office and any third persons interested in potential scope of this or subsequent applications should understand that broader claims may be presented at a later date in this case, in a case claiming the benefit of this case, or in any continuation in spite of any preliminary amendments, other amendments, claim language, or arguments presented, thus throughout the pendency of any case there is no intention to disclaim or surrender any potential subject matter. It should be understood that if or when broader claims are presented, such may require that any relevant prior art that may have been considered at any prior time may need to be re-visited since it is possible that to the extent any amendments, claim language, or arguments presented in this or any subsequent application are considered as made to avoid such prior art, such reasons may be eliminated by later presented claims or the like. Both the examiner and any person otherwise interested in existing or later potential coverage, or considering if there has at any time been any possibility of an indication of disclaimer or surrender of potential coverage, should be aware that no such surrender or disclaimer is ever intended or ever exists in this or any subsequent application. Limitations such as arose in Hakim v. Cannon Avent Group, PLC, 479 F.3d 1313 (Fed. Cir 2007), or the like are expressly not intended in this or any subsequent related matter. In addition, support should be understood to exist to the degree required under new matter laws—including but not limited to European Patent Convention Article 123(2) and United States Patent Law 35 USC 132 or other such laws—to permit the addition of any of the various dependencies or other elements presented under one independent claim or concept as dependencies or elements under any other independent claim or concept. In drafting any claims at any time whether in this application or in any subsequent application, it should also be understood that the applicant has intended to capture as full and broad a scope of coverage as legally available. To the extent that insubstantial substitutes are made, to the extent that the applicant did not in fact draft any claim so as to literally encompass any particular embodiment, and to the extent otherwise applicable, the applicant should not be understood to have in any way intended to or actually relinquished such coverage as the applicant simply may not have been able to anticipate all eventualities; one skilled in the art, should not be reasonably expected to have drafted a claim that would have literally encompassed such alternative embodiments.

Further, if or when used, the use of the transitional phrase “comprising” is used to maintain the “open-end” claims herein, according to traditional claim interpretation. Thus, unless the context requires otherwise, it should be understood that the term “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, are intended to imply the inclusion of a stated element or step or group of elements or steps but not the exclusion of any other element or step or group of elements or steps. Such terms should be interpreted in their most expansive form so as to afford the applicant the broadest coverage legally permissible. The use of the phrase, “or any other claim” is used to provide support for any claim to be dependent on any other claim, such as another dependent claim, another independent claim, a previously listed claim, a subsequently listed claim, and the like. As one clarifying example, if a claim were dependent “on claim 20 or any other claim” or the like, it could be re-drafted as dependent on claim 1, claim 15, or even claim 25 (if such were to exist) if desired and still fall with the disclosure. It should be understood that this phrase also provides support for any combination of elements in the claims and even incorporates any desired proper antecedent basis for certain claim combinations such as with combinations of method, apparatus, process, and the like claims.

Finally, any claims set forth at any time are hereby incorporated by reference as part of this description of the invention, and the applicant expressly reserves the right to use all of or a portion of such incorporated content of such claims as additional description to support any of or all of the claims or any element or component thereof, and the applicant further expressly reserves the right to move any portion of or all of the incorporated content of such claims or any element or component thereof from the description into the claims or vice-versa as necessary to define the matter for which protection is sought by this application or by any subsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-part application thereof, or to obtain any benefit of, reduction in fees pursuant to, or to comply with the patent laws, rules, or regulations of any country or treaty, and such content incorporated by reference shall survive during the entire pendency of this application including any subsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-part application thereof or any reissue or extension thereon. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A collapsible platform system operable alongside a flatbed, comprising: at least two discrete platform apparatus, each of which comprises: platform support legs that are pivotally collapsible from an leg operational configuration to a leg storage configuration, said legs disposed substantially vertically when in said leg operational configuration; a substantially flat walkable platform to which said legs are attached, and which is supported by said legs when said legs are in said leg operational configuration, said legs pivotally collapsible towards said platform, and pivotally deployable from said platform; guardrail support members that are pivotally attached to said platform and pivotally collapsible from a guardrail operational configuration to a guardrail collapsible configuration, wherein said guardrail support members are vertical in said guardrail operational configuration; an upper guardrail supported by said guardrail support members, said upper guardrail collapsible with said guardrail support members from said guardrail operational configuration to said guardrail collapsible configuration, where said upper guardrail is horizontal in said guardrail operational configuration; wherein said upper guardrail and said guardrail support members are pivotally attached to said platform on a first longitudinal side of said platform, trailbed attachment hardware that removably attaches said platform to a flatbed of said flatbed truck, said trailbed attachment hardware established on a second longitudinal side of said platform; ladder attachment componentry disposed at said first end of said walkable platform; second end connection componentry disposed at a second end of said platform, wherein said second end connection componentry is selected from the group consisting of: platform to platform end connection componentry, ladder attachment componentry; and gate attachment componentry; and said collapsible platform system further comprising a ladder that is optionally removably attachable to a first end of said walkable platform.
 2. A collapsible platform system as described in claim 1 wherein said ladder attachment componentry comprises at least two ladder hook sites.
 3. A collapsible platform system as described in claim wherein said guardrail support are pivotally collapsible in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis defined by a respective said platform.
 4. A collapsible platform system as described in claim 1 wherein said platform support legs are pivotally collapsible in a direction that is parallel to a longitudinal axis defined by a respective said platform.
 5. A collapsible platform system as described in claim 1 wherein said pivotal collapsibility is each provided by pivot member and pin lock system.
 6. A collapsible platform system as described in claim 1 wherein said platform support legs are each independently length adjustable.
 7. A collapsible platform system as described in claim 6 wherein said independently length adjustable platform support legs each comprise an outer leg tube and an inner leg tube established therein.
 8. A collapsible platform system as described in claim 7 further comprising pins that enable locking of said inner tube in a desired position relative to said outer tube.
 9. A collapsible platform system as described in claim 1 further comprising platform to platform end connection componentry at said first end of said platform.
 10. A collapsible platform system as described in claim 1 wherein said gate attachment componentry comprises a gate support member established on said second longitudinal side of said platform.
 11. A collapsible platform system as described in claim 9 wherein said gate support member is collapsible from an operation configuration to a storage configuration.
 12. A collapsible platform system as described in claim 1 wherein said platform comprises grip strut walking planks.
 13. A collapsible platform system as described in claim 1 further comprising walkable platform support struts established below said walkable platform.
 14. A collapsible platform system as described in claim 1 wherein said walkable platform comprises metal grips.
 15. A collapsible platform system as described in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of post and leg brackets, each of which has at least one of said legs and at least one of said upper guardrail support members pivotally attached.
 16. A collapsible platform system as described in claim 15 further comprising pins that enable locking of said at least one of said legs and said at least one of said upper guardrail support members in a respective operational configuration.
 17. A collapsible platform system as described in claim 1 further comprising leg support brackets into which said legs, when in said leg storage configuration, are disposed.
 18. A collapsible platform system as described in claim 1 wherein said ladder comprises attachment hooks that hook onto said attachable to a first end of said walkable platform at said ladder attachment componentry.
 19. A collapsible platform system as described in claim 1 wherein said trailbed attachment hardware comprises a plurality of bed mount clips and bed mount bolts.
 20. A collapsible platform system as described in claim 1 wherein said platform support legs and said upper guardrail support members are removable from said platform. 